| Being a professional video game tester is a dream | | | | player, who will just relax and play the game at a |
| job. Most gamers would love the chance to be | | | | leisurely pace. Admittedly, the work isn't back |
| able to play great video games and get paid for it. | | | | breaking, but it is work nonetheless. |
| Unfortunately though, most gamers think that | | | | The questionnaires are the easier part of game |
| paid video game testing is too far out of reach | | | | testing, as all the video game tester has to do is |
| and will remain a dream forever. Well luckily, it's | | | | answer some general questions about the game |
| not a "dream" and anybody can be a paid video | | | | and give his/her honest opinion. The reports, on |
| game tester with the right amount of experience | | | | the other hand, are a bit more difficult to do. |
| and guidance. | | | | These reports need to be filed on every bug |
| The following tips should help you get started with | | | | glitch that the tester comes across, and they |
| a career in professional video game testing. | | | | have to be remarkably accurate. In each report, |
| Tip 1: Don't Wait For Jobs to Find You, Get Out | | | | the video game tester has to describe what |
| There and Find Them. | | | | happened, where it happened, and how it |
| Video game tester jobs are not going to fall from | | | | happened. With this detailed information in hand, |
| the sky, so you can't expect to find them with a | | | | the developers & programmers will then fix |
| few glances at the Sunday newspaper. Therefore, | | | | the problem and find out why it happened in the |
| instead of just sitting around and waiting, be | | | | first place. Every video game goes through this |
| proactive and actually chase those high paying | | | | basic cycle, which is precisely why video game |
| testing jobs. | | | | testers are so vital to the gaming industry. |
| Make a beeline straight toward the game | | | | As you can see, there really isn't all that much |
| developers and present your case, no matter | | | | work involved with video game testing, but that |
| how poor or excellent it might be. Let them know | | | | doesn't mean it isn't a serious profession. |
| who you are, what you do (game tester), and | | | | Tip 4: Build up a Network of Reliable Contacts. |
| why you would make a great addition to their | | | | Networking is a crucial part of professional video |
| team/project. | | | | game testing. Although it is quite possible to have |
| It's important to remember that developers aren't | | | | a prosperous career without a reliable network, |
| going to hire you on the spot; so, don't let | | | | having one just makes things easier. |
| rejection get you down. They have lots of video | | | | A network of contacts can actually help your |
| game testers applying for projects and jobs, | | | | career in many different ways. The biggest thing |
| which means they can literally be as picky as they | | | | it can do is give you heads up about new job |
| want to be. With that being said, be as confident | | | | openings and testing assignments that have been |
| as you can and be sure to let them know of all | | | | announced. Also, some of your contacts can even |
| your gaming accomplishments and deeds. They | | | | act as valuable references when applying for |
| should know about what games you play | | | | testing jobs. And, as if those two things weren't |
| frequently, what consoles you own, what | | | | enough, your network can give you the inside |
| communities you are apart of, and any websites | | | | scoop about what's going on behind closed doors. |
| blogs you own or help operate. No matter what | | | | Much like a video game tester job, a reliable |
| the gaming accomplishment, big or small, it will help | | | | network is not going to just jump out at you. |
| with landing you a job. | | | | Therefore, you will have to build it up all on your |
| Tip 2: Don't Think "Hobby with Pay", Think "Career | | | | own. The best way to do that is by getting to |
| With Benefits!" | | | | know the industry and the people who work in it. |
| You have to keep in mind that developers pay | | | | Anyone that spends time around video games |
| video game testers as part of a job. They are | | | | (professionally, of course) can be included in your |
| not paying testers to merely enjoy video games | | | | network; game testers, developers, |
| at their own expense. Therefore, when you land | | | | programmers, concept artists, art designers, |
| a testing job, don't simply play it to have fun; play | | | | graphics designers, technical support specialists, |
| it like you are earning a paycheck. Does that | | | | audio specialists, etc. Basically, if they know video |
| mean you can't have any fun? No; it simply | | | | games and work with video games, you want |
| means you shouldn't make "fun" your top priority | | | | them in your network. |
| while testing video games. | | | | Tip 5: Don't Give Up. Keep Trying! |
| If you take each and every testing job seriously | | | | The unfortunate fact is that you are not going to |
| and give it your all, you should have a much more | | | | land a video game tester job whenever you want |
| successful game testing career. | | | | one. As a matter of fact, it may be weeks or |
| Tip 3: Know What To Expect | | | | even months before you land your first testing |
| The biggest part of being a professional video | | | | job. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that |
| game tester is knowing the golden rule; which is | | | | you don't have what it takes; it just means you |
| "You are paid to test games, not to play them." | | | | have to keep trying & giving it your best. |
| There may be a fine line between the two, but | | | | Not many newcomers start off at the top of |
| any real game tester will tell you that the | | | | their game, which means you likely won't either. |
| difference is definitely there. | | | | Hence, just give it time. After a few months and |
| The subtle difference between testing and playing | | | | a few jobs, you should be able to get your |
| is, well, work. A game tester will have to do | | | | footing and begin advancing in your career as a |
| actual work, such as filing reports & filling out | | | | professional video game tester. |
| questionnaires; as opposed to a regular game | | | | |